Stock-car.



No. 781,753. PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905. B. F. VENABLE & W. I. CUNNINGHAM.

STOCK GAR.

APPLICATION FILED APE.29,1904.

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APYLIOATION FILED APR. 29, 1904.

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PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VENABLE AND W'ILLIAM FISHER CUNNINGHAM,

OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI; SAID VENABLE ASSIGNOR TO SAID CUN- N INGHAM.

STOCK-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,753, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed April 29,1904. Serial No. 205,602.

To a, 117mm 116 many IZOI'LOBTTL.

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VENABLE and \VILLIAM FISHER CUNNINGHAM, citizens of the United States, residing at O0- lunibia, in the county of Boone and State of h'Iissouri, have invented a new and useful Stock-Car, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vestibule stockcars.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of such cars in the following particulars: first, to construct the door-fastening devices so that they can be utilized for connecting the door of one car to the door-post of the adjacent car in forming a vestibule train; second, to permit a certain amount of play between a door and the door-post of the opposite car. to which it is connected, in or der to prevent the door from being torn off its hinges by a movement of the train, especially if it be on a curved track; third, to arrange the platform in such manner that it will be compact in form and also capable of permitting play between the cars without becoming broken.

The above objects are attained by constructing a cattle-car in the manner hereinafterdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, wherein Figure I is a side elevation showing the adjacent ends of two stock-cars, the door of one being fastened to the post of the other to form a vestibule. Fig. 2 is an end View of a car with the door closed and fastened. Fig. 3 is a vertical section looking from the inside of the car. Fig. A is a horizontal section showing the doors open and the platform down.

Like reference characters indicate like parts in the different views.

The numerals 1 1 indicate the ends of two cattle-cars which are adapted to form part of a vestibule train. The cars are of the ordinary and well known construction, except that they are constructed with a door at each end. It will be understood that the doors of all the cars are similar, and therefore a description of one door will serve for all. Furthermore, it will be understood that the two end doors on each car are alike, except that the door on one end is hinged on one side, while the door at the other end is hinged on the opposite side. Each of the end doors 2 is hinged at 3 3 to the door-post 4. Upon the opposite door-post, 5, are fastened the staples 6. Attached to the outer surface of the door by the guide-brackets 7 8 are the long latchbars or sliding hooks 9.

The operation of the door-fastening devices will be apparent. \Vhen the door is closed, the latch-bars are raised, slid forward, and dropped into the staples 6, thereby securely fastening the door; In forming a vestibule train the door is swung open until its outer edge is adjacent to the door-post of the opposite car and the latch-bars are hooked into the staples of said door-post. It will be observed that the guide-lwackets 7 8 are arranged .in comparatively close relation and that the latch-bars are made comparatively long. By reason of this construction the latch-bars are capable of considerable longitudinal movement, which permits ample play between the two adjacent cars and prevents the possibility of-a door being torn from its hinges by a sudden movement of the train, especially when on a curved track.

The platform between two cars is formed by hinging to each car at 10 a platform-section 11, which in conjunction with a similar section in the adjacent car forms a broad platform between the cars when lowered. The outer corner of each platform-section is rounded off, as shown, in order to permit slight lateral play in the opposite car, and, if desired, the platform-section may be pivotally hinged to its car for the same purpose. It will be understood that the two platform-sections constituting a platform are capable of slight longitudinal movement with respect to each other if the train be on a curve. In order that the platform-sections may be folded up out of the way, a bar 12 isattached by a pin-and-slot connection to the inner side of one of the door-posts of the car. This bar 12 is adapted to be lifted up and slid forward into a crotch or socket 13 on the opposite door-post. When the bar 12 is in position, the platform-section 11 may be raised until it rests thereagainst. The car-door may then be closed, with the result that the platformsection is held tightly between the door and the bar 12.

In vestibule cattle-cars as heretofore constructed a wide platform has been provided on each car. As only one of such wide platforms could be used at a time, it was necessary to fold the other back upon the car-floor to get it out of the way. This disadvantage is avoided by the construction of platform described.

What is claimed is- 1. A vestibule stock-car having extensible door-fastening devices.

2. A vestibule stock-car having door-fastening devices adapted to engage an adjacent car.

3. A vestibule stock-car having extensible door-fastening devices adapted to engage an adjacent car and to permit play between the cars.

4. A vestibule stock-car door having sliding latch-bars adapted to engage staples on the door-post of an adjacent car.

5. In a vestibule stock-car, in combination extensible door-fastening means adapted to engage with an adjacent car and to permit play between the cars, and a hinged platform adapted to cooperate with a similar section on said adjacent car and capable of' permitting play between the cars.

6. A vestibule stock-car having extensible door-fastening means for permitting play between its door and an adjacent car and a platform-section capable of permitting play between the cars.

7. A stock-car having an end doorway and a longitudinal semiplatform-section hinged to swing vertically within the doorway and capable of being projected beyond the end of the car into the doorway of an opposite car.

8. A stock-car having an end doorway and a longitudinal semiplatform-section hinged In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto afiixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN VENABLF. WILLIAM FISHER- CUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses:

B. C. HUNT, ELI HoDeE. 

